Agreement for Performance of Work (APW) – Scoping Review of CSO Capacity Building Platforms and Resources in WPR
BACKGROUND
On 31 December 2019, WHO was informed of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. Since 2 January 2020, the three levels of WHO (Country Offices, Regional Office for the Western Pacific, and Headquarters) have been working together to respond to the outbreak of the disease now known as COVID-19. On 30 January, WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). On 11 March, the WHO Director General characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic. Engaging with communities to enable and empower individuals, follow public health and social measures (PHSMs), and leverage existing community networks to play a role in the response is an important part of the current COVID-19 strategy that needs to be scaled up dramatically.
In the Western Pacific Region (WPR), the Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases and Public Health Emergencies (APSED III) is a common strategic framework guiding the joint action of Member States, WHO, and partners to advance implementation of the International Health Regulations (2005). Through strengthening the core capacities required under the IHR (2005), countries can save lives and protect health during outbreaks and health emergencies, such as during the current pandemic. Community engagement is listed as a critical component under the risk communication focus area in APSED III. In the WHO Western Pacific Regional Action Plan for the Response to Large-Scale Community Outbreaks of COVID-19, community engagement is one of the key priority areas identified to quickly and effectively mobilize and empower communities to engage, reverse, and mitigate the impact of COVID-19 through improved adherence to PHSMs. Strengthened community engagement also allows the health sector more time to prepare for and respond in realistic, relevant, and appropriate ways to the needs and challenges of every population group.
The Western Pacific Region has adopted a “whole of society” approach to improve Covid-19 response in Member States with the involvement of civil society and communities as equal partners. To support this effort, the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund Steering Committee is providing resources to strengthen civil society engagement in COVID-19 response at the national and local levels. 11 CSOs are participating across three countries in WPR are participating in the CSO Initiative - the Philippines, Malaysia, and Papua New Guinea. CSO partners have highlighted different areas of support required, including technical support with developing monitoring, evaluation, and learning templates and learning sessions on evolving COVID-19 topics, such as variants and vaccines. WPRO would like to build on these insights shared by CSO partners to improve capacity building resources for CSOs and other community partners in the region to more effectively support vulnerable communities during health emergencies. To this end, this consultancy will conduct a scoping review of existing platforms and resources in the region that support peer learning, knowledge exchange, and capacity building for community partners in and beyond the health sector to strengthen civil society engagement during health emergencies.
PURPOSE/SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE OF THE ACTIVITY
The purpose of this project is to conduct a scoping review of peer learning and capacity building mechanisms, platforms, and resources in the Western Pacific Region that support knowledge exchange and technical support for civil society organizations (CSOs) and other community partners during health emergencies.
WORK TO BE PERFORMED
Under the guidance and supervision of the WPRO IMST Incident Manager and supervision of the Pillar Lead for Health Service Delivery, the contractor will provide technical and operational assistance to the CSO Initiative to develop a scoping review of peer learning and capacity building mechanisms, platforms, and resources for CSOs and other community partners to support health emergencies. The project involves the following:
- Conduct desk research detailing mechanisms, platforms, and resources available in the region for community organizations to support health emergency response and recovery; provide examples and case studies from other sectors (e.g. WASH) that have similar mechanisms
- Conduct key informant interviews, as needed, to support desk research
- Identify gaps in platforms and resources for capacity building and peer learning in WPR
- Develop a scoping review describing the types of resources and platforms available and provide recommendations on how to address gaps in peer learning and capacity building in WPR
- Coordinate with WPRO team on work plan, deliverables, and feedback on drafts
Key deliverable:
- • Scoping review of capacity building and peer learning mechanisms, platforms, and resources in WPR for community-level organizations to support health emergencies, especially in vulnerable communities
Other deliverables:
- Midterm progress report
- Technical report at the end of the consultancy
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Education
University degree in public health, international development, or any related field in the social sciences. Advanced degree preferred.
Experience
Minimum of six to eight years of experience working on community engagement and public health in WPR. The consultant should have experience working within the UN system with partner organizations or agencies. Familiarity with organizational development is an asset.
Skills and knowledge
Knowledge and analytical skills in community engagement and public health. Exceptional research, organizational, and writing skills.
Language
Fluency in written and spoken English is essential. Fluency in one or more regional languages preferred.
Competencies
- • Producing results
- • Respecting and promotion individual and cultural differences
- • Teamwork
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Duration of contract:
7 weeks (27 Oct-16 Dec 2021)
Place of assignment:
The contractor will work remotely. Through video conferencing or other technologies, the Contractor will actively participate in SDH team regular meeting and important meetings with WPRO staff and/or partners as assigned by Dr Kira Fortune, Coordinator/SDH.
APPLICATIONS
Qualified and interested specialists (individual contractor) should submit their CV and cover letter with proposed cost and timelines to the Supply Officer through WP RO UNGM at < wproungm@who.int > by 18 October 2021 (1700 GMT+8 Manila)
Please use Tender Notice No. 147184 as subject to all submission. Only successful candidates will be contacted.